When it's Time to Play: FAO Schwarz

Adventure Student Travel was founded by an educator.  We usually think of student travel first of all as an amazing opportunity to learn.  Every city is full of them - historical sites (you'll never believe who stood right where we are standing!), government offices and buildings - usually as beautiful and impressive as they are important, and museums.  (Ah, the museums - so much to learn gathered from all around the world, or universe, and artistically compressed behind glass for our leisurely exploration.)  These are the attractions we live for, the catalysts for that light we love to see in a student when they've discovered something new.

But not every attraction has been featured on the pages of their history books.  And for that matter, there are all kinds of student tours designed purely for celebration - graduation trips, the sights and sounds you manage to fit in around your performance tour obligations, cruises.  We've got those too, and this is an attraction strictly for thrills.

Consider for instance the giant bear holding lettered blocks at the entrance (pictured here by kirinqueen on Flickr), the live toy soldier that greets you (and poses for photos of course), and this shining piece of wonderful, featured in the 80's Tom Hanks flick, Big, and one of the best reasons to visit New York City's FAO Schwarz:  The Giant Piano.    

(Photo by Dick Mooran on Flickr)

As in the movie, guests are allowed to test out their old piano recital masterpieces on the giant keys, but even better are the professional dancers who treat audiences to exciting performances on it.  These dancers are often straight from Broadway.  So as you might imagine, these guys tap out a little more than Chopsticks.

But I get kind of hung up on details like this, because I love movies.  There is so much more to this amazing toy store - like an entire floor of plush, life-sized stuffed animals, an FAO Schwarz trademark.  There are fascinating Lego creations, areas to make your own toys, collectibles and classic toys, as well as popular creations from movies and television.  FAO Schwarz is three floors of childhood and imagination blown up, stuffed with fluff, and tempting even the oldest students.  You really ought to tuck this one in between the designer shopping and museum collections.  Any place that promises a "heart of joy" as you leave is worth at least a glance.